“Do I need to clean out the title before your truck gets here?” That was the first question from a Pontiac homeowner who bought a 16-foot mahogany utility boat back in 2009. It sat in a back corner of his yard on jack stands ever since. The engine had not turned over in over ten years, and the fuel line was cracked clean through. He was ready to clear out the corner.
Getting to it meant going through a narrow side yard and past a locked gate. In January, deep cold freezes any water trapped in the hull and sets the ground hard as iron. Since there was no trailer under the vessel, our crew brought our own haul rig into the yard. We rolled the hull upright, blocked it off, and slid our trailer underneath it. When a boat sits directly on stands without a frame, people often worry about the bottom collapsing. A wood hull stays stiffer than thin fiberglass, but you still have to balance the weight over the crossmembers before pulling. The release of liability was signed when the job was booked, so the owner just watched from the porch.
Hazardous fluids were checked before any work started, and we drained what was left in the tank. We hauled the vessel out to a facility that takes old boats, where usable hardware got salvaged and the metal was recycled. The owner kept his copy of the signed release and got his yard back. If you have an unwanted vessel sitting in Pontiac or around Oakland County, call 866-994-1769 for our boat removal services.
Why we look for leaks before anything else
Typically, we see steering cables freeze solid in Michigan winters, which makes a non-running boat much harder to steer onto a haul rig. You can save time on pickup day by clearing snow away from around the hull and making sure the path to the gate is open. Having the title ready in your name also keeps the boat removal process moving without delay.
Job summary: boat removal in Pontiac
| Job | Boat and trailer pickup |
|---|---|
| Boat | 1990 mahogany utility boat, about 16 feet |
| Where it sat | On jack stands in a back corner of the yard, no trailer under it |
| Who called | A man who bought it cheap fifteen years ago and never got it running |
| What was wrong | An engine that had not turned over in years and a fuel line cracked through |
| Estimate | Estimate first, free |
| Paperwork | Release of liability with the deposit |
| Area | Oakland County, MI |
Composite example from Oakland County, not one person’s job. The photos are illustrative.
Cost questions from Pontiac, MI owners
Is boat removal free?
No, boat removal is a paid haul service. Our pricing starts at a $400 minimum service charge. The total cost changes depending on the size of the boat, where it sits on your property, its condition, and whether our crew has to cut it up to move it.
How do I get rid of my boat?
You start by getting an estimate. Photos help us see the vessel, its location, and any trailer under it so we can give you a clear price. Once you sign the release of liability with the deposit, our crew handles the full boat removal and disposal.
Boat removal and disposal near Pontiac
We pick up boats across Oakland County, in Troy, Farmington Hills, Rochester Hills and Novi. Winter weather in Pontiac brings snow accumulation around old hulls, and ice can weld trailer tires right to the dirt. Cold months mean we prepare for frozen hubs and slick driveways, but our junk removal crew works through the snow to haul derelict vessels off waterfront properties and residential yards.
Start with a free estimate: call 866-994-1769 about the boat in Pontiac.